Crossroads United Methodist Church - Lansing, KS

09/06/2026

09/03/2026

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08/31/2026

Devotional: Before We Walk Into Hard Conversations
By Libby Hayden

Week of September 1

Scripture: Exodus 12:1-14 and Matthew 18:15-20

This week’s scriptures both remind us that God’s people are not meant to figure life out all by themselves. In Exodus, God is preparing the Israelites to leave Egypt, but He does it by gathering households, neighbors, and families around a shared meal of remembrance. In Matthew, Jesus speaks to the real-life messiness of community and reminds us that how we handle hurt and conflict matters. Both passages point us back to the same truth: God forms us as a people, and part of being God’s people is learning how to stay connected with grace.

Have you ever had one of those moments where something rubs you the wrong way, and you think, “Well, that made me feel some kind of way”? Maybe it was a comment. Maybe it was a look. Maybe somebody walked right past you and did not speak, and before you knew it, your mind had written an entire story about what they meant.

We have all been there. Sometimes we know exactly what bothered us. Other times, we are not even sure if it was a big deal or if we were just tired, stressed, hungry, or already carrying too much that day. And let’s be honest, hungry and holy do not always live in the same room very well.

So before we react, before we rehearse the conversation in the shower, before we tell three people who were not even there, maybe the first step is to pause and let God into it. Just a simple prayer: “Lord, help me see this clearly. Is this something I need to release, or something I need to handle with love?”

Jesus knows relationships can get messy. He knows misunderstandings happen. He knows feelings get hurt. But He also knows that what we do next matters. Do we assume the worst, or do we ask for understanding? Do we carry it quietly until it turns into resentment, or do we ask God to help us deal with it in a healthier way?

As we get ready for worship, this is a good time to check what is in our own hearts. Not to beat ourselves up, but to make room for grace. Because sometimes the conversation we need most starts quietly between us and God.

Prayer: Lord, help me slow down before I react. Help me see people with grace, hear with patience, and speak with love when the time is right. Show me what I need to let go of, what I need to deal with, and how to do both in a way that looks more like You. Amen.

Reflection Question: What is something I may need to pause and pray about before I decide how to respond?

08/27/2026

Why Do We Read the Bible?
By Libby Hayden
Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16–17; Hebrews 4:12–16
When we ask, “Why do we read the Bible?” I think most of us know the Sunday school answer. We read it because it is God’s Word. We read it because it teaches us. We read it because it helps us grow. And all of that is true.
But if I am being honest, sometimes reading the Bible can feel a little intimidating. We may wonder if we are understanding it right. We may open it when we are already tired, distracted, or carrying a lot. Sometimes we read a passage and think, “Okay Lord, I know this is important, but what am I supposed to do with it today?”
That is why these scriptures are helpful. In 2 Timothy, Paul reminds us that Scripture comes from God and helps us learn, grow, and get back on track when we need it. It helps prepare us for the good work God puts in front of us. And that does not just mean church work. It means everyday life. How we talk to people. How we forgive. How we handle stress. How we show kindness. How we keep going when life feels heavy.
Hebrews tells us that the Word of God is living and active. I like that because it reminds us the Bible is not just something we read and then move on from. God can use it to speak to what is really going on in our lives. It can reach the places we try to cover up, the things we are still working through, and the questions we may not even know how to say out loud.
That might sound a little uncomfortable, but Hebrews also reminds us of something beautiful. Jesus understands us. He knows what it is like to be tired, tempted, pressured, misunderstood, and stretched thin. So when Scripture shows us something honest about ourselves, it is not meant to beat us up. It is meant to bring us closer to God.
We read the Bible because we need more than information. We need God’s help in becoming who He is calling us to be. Scripture helps us see God more clearly, see ourselves more honestly, and see other people with more grace. It reminds us who God is, who we are, and how to live that out when we walk out the door.
As Pastor reminded us this past Sunday, our time with God is meant to be more than a quick, “Here is what I need today.” God wants a real dialogue with us. A conversation. A time where we can talk, but also slow down long enough to listen. I think reading the Bible is part of that same conversation. We are not just reading words on a page so we can say we did it. We are sitting with God’s Word and letting it connect with our real life. And maybe before we even start, we can say a simple prayer like, “Lord, where do I start to follow You?” That is a hard question, but it is also a beautiful place to begin.
Some days, reading Scripture feels comforting. Other days, it feels like looking in a mirror. And sometimes it is that gentle nudge that says, “Maybe try this a different way.” But every time, God can use His Word to pull us closer, steady our hearts, and remind us that grace is still there when we need it.
Thought for the Week
We do not read the Bible just to check a box. We read it because God still uses His Word to teach us, steady us, correct us, comfort us, and prepare us for the life He is calling us to live.
Reflection Question
• What would it look like to read Scripture as a conversation with God, not just another thing on the list?
Prayer
Lord, thank You for giving us Your Word. Help us come to You with open hearts, not just with our list of needs, but ready for a real conversation. Teach us to slow down, listen, and connect with what You are saying through Scripture. Give us the courage to ask, “Where do I start to follow You?” and the grace to take the next step. Amen.

08/17/2026

Weekly Devotional:
When the Storms Come
Matthew 7:24-27; Isaiah 28:16-17
If there's one thing we all have in common, it's this: sooner or later, storms come.
Some storms are big and obvious. A health scare. The loss of a loved one. Financial struggles. A broken relationship. Other storms are quieter but just as difficult. Stress that keeps piling up. Worry about the future. Feeling overwhelmed, lonely, or unsure of what comes next.
None of us sign up for these storms, but they are part of life.
In Matthew 7, Jesus tells the story of two people building houses. On the surface, the houses probably looked pretty similar. From the road, no one could tell much difference between them. The real difference was underneath. One was built on rock. The other was built on sand.
Then the storm came.
The rain fell. The streams rose. The winds blew. One house stood. The other collapsed.
What strikes me about this story is that Jesus doesn't say, "If the storm comes." He says, in effect, "When the storm comes." The storm wasn't a sign that one builder had done something wrong. It came to both houses. The difference was the foundation.
I think that's true in our own lives. Most of the time, we don't spend much time thinking about foundations when everything is going well. When the sun is shining and life is moving along smoothly, it's easy to assume we're doing fine. But storms have a way of revealing what we've really been depending on.
Sometimes we build on things that seem solid at first. We put our confidence in our plans, our schedules, our savings accounts, our jobs, or even our ability to handle things ourselves. None of those things are bad, but they aren't meant to carry the full weight of our lives. Sooner or later, something shifts, and we realize those things can't hold us up the way we hoped.
That's where Isaiah's words bring such comfort. God says, "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation."
A tested stone.
I love that description. God didn't give us an unproven foundation. He gave us Jesus, who has been tested and proven faithful time and time again. Through every generation, through every challenge, through every storm, He has remained steady.
Life may feel uncertain, but Christ is not.
Years ago, I learned that you don't really discover how strong a tree is until a strong wind blows. The same thing is true with faith. Storms reveal where our roots are planted. They show us whether we're relying on ourselves or trusting God to carry us through.
And here's the good news: having a strong foundation doesn't mean we never wobble. It doesn't mean we never have questions, fears, or sleepless nights. Faith isn't pretending everything is fine. Faith is knowing where to stand when everything isn't fine.
There have been times in my own life when I've wondered how I was going to make it through a situation. Looking back, I can see that God didn't always calm the storm right away. Sometimes He walked with me through it. Sometimes He gave me strength one day at a time. Sometimes He placed people in my path who encouraged me when I needed it most.
The storm didn't disappear overnight, but God never left.
Maybe you're facing a storm today. Maybe the winds are already blowing and the rain is coming down hard. If so, take a deep breath and remember this: your hope is not in the weather. Your hope is in the One who stands with you in the middle of it.
Storms will come. Jesus never promised otherwise.
But when your life is built on Him, the storm does not have the final word.
The rain may fall. The winds may blow. The waters may rise.
Yet the foundation remains.
And so do you.
Reflection Questions
• What storm are you facing right now?
• When life gets difficult, what do you tend to lean on first?
• How has God carried you through past challenges?
• What is one practical way you can trust Him more this week?
Prayer
Lord, thank You for being my rock when life feels uncertain. When storms come and I feel shaken, remind me that You are steady and faithful. Help me build my life on Your love, Your truth, and Your promises. Give me strength for today, hope for tomorrow, and peace in knowing that no storm is bigger than You. Amen.

08/12/2026

Weekly Devotional: Why Do We Worship?
By Libby
Scripture
Psalm 145:1-7
John 4:5-14, 23-24
More Than Just Showing Up
Have you ever stopped and wondered, Why do we worship?
For many of us, worship can become part of our weekly routine. We get up, get dressed, grab some coffee, and head to church. While routines can be good, sometimes we lose sight of why we're there in the first place.
In Psalm 145, David is overflowing with praise. He talks about God's greatness, goodness, and mighty acts. He isn't worshiping because someone told him he had to. He's worshiping because he has experienced God's faithfulness and can't help but talk about it.
Then in John 4, Jesus has a conversation with the woman at the well. She wants to talk about the right place to worship, but Jesus shifts the conversation. He tells her that true worship isn't really about a location. It's about a relationship. God is looking for people who worship "in spirit and truth."
That can be good news for us.
Worship isn't about having the perfect voice, saying the right words, or sitting in the same pew every week. It's about responding to who God is and what God has done.
Think about it this way. When something good happens, we naturally talk about it. We share pictures of our grandkids, tell friends about a great restaurant, or celebrate a promotion at work. We talk about the things that matter to us.
Worship is simply expressing our gratitude and love for God. It's saying, "God, thank You. I see You at work in my life. I haven't made it this far on my own."
And worship doesn't just happen on Sunday morning.
It happens when we notice a beautiful sunrise and thank God for another day. It happens when we help a neighbor, offer a word of encouragement, or take a moment to pray in the middle of a busy afternoon. It happens when we choose gratitude instead of grumbling.
The woman at the well came looking for water, but she left with something much greater. She discovered that God wanted more than her attendance. God wanted her heart.
The same is true for us.
Why do we worship? Not because God needs it, but because we need it. Worship reminds us who God is, who we are, and where our hope comes from. It reconnects us to the One who offers living water when life leaves us feeling dry.
Reflection Questions
• When was the last time you truly felt connected to God in worship?
• What helps you focus on God instead of just going through the motions?
• Where have you seen God's goodness this week?
• How can worship become part of your everyday life, not just Sunday morning?
Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your goodness, faithfulness, and love. Help us not to simply go through the motions of worship, but to come to You with open hearts. Remind us that worship is more than a place or a time. It is our response to Your presence in our lives. Fill us with Your living water and help us carry that gratitude into everything we do this week. Amen.